Since the middle of the 20th century,
fluorescent lighting has been a cheaper, safer, and longer-lasting
lighting approach than incandescent lighting, especially in
offices. However, these bulbs tend to flicker, produce an
irritating humming sound, and can be very hard on the eyes. Now
there’s a solution.

Researchers at Wake Forest University in North
Carolina have been working on new lighting substitutes and have
developed a flicker-free, shatterproof alternative for large-scale
lighting.

“You want lights that have a spectral
content that is appealing to us inside of a building,”
said David Carroll, lead scientist of the project at Wake
Forest.

Their new lighting arrangement is based on
field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology, which
gives off a soft white light unlike the yellowish gleam from
fluorescents or the bluish tint from LEDs.

Lead researcher, David Carroll, working
with graduate student on new FIPEL lighting technology. (Image via
Ken Bennett, Wake Forest University)

The team used a nano-engineered polymer matrix
to convert the charge into light. The device comprises three layers
of moldable white-emitting polymer and a small amount of
nanomaterials that glow when stimulated to create bright white
light similar to sunlight, which tends to be easier on the human
eye.

The lights are not limited to just white. They
can be manipulated into any color or shape. You can have a light
constructed into 2 x 4-ft sheets to replace lights in the workplace
or even into a bulb for your household lamp.

According to the team’s research, when
it comes to energy efficiency, the new lighting technology is
similar to LEDs, with at least twice the efficiency of compact
fluorescent (CFL) bulbs.

“You want a light that won’t
shatter and create a hazmat situation while your children are
around,“ said Carroll.

Not only are they safe and energy efficient,
they will also last a long time. Carroll has one that has worked
for about 10 years.

Keep your eyes peeled for this lighting
technology to hit your home soon. Wake Forest is currently working
with a company to manufacture the new lighting design and plans to
have it ready for consumer purchase as early as next year. Carroll
sees potential uses for large display lighting, from store marquees
to signs on busses and subway cars that won’t exude the
bluish tint of LEDs.

For more information about the team’s
research, take a look at the research paper below which
investigates the use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in the
new technology. ■